Method of and apparatus for applying adhesive



O 1933- E. s. RIDER 1,932,989

IETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE Fileql July 15, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY.

Oct. 31, 1933- J RlDER BT30? 0? AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE Filed July 13, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw WWW INVENTOR.

i5 Qfia 62 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 31, 1933- A RIDER I THOD OF AND APPARATUS FO R APPLYING ADHESIVE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 13', 1931 INVENTOR. {LMJZQM MSQGW 1 ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 31, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE Application July 13, 1931. Serial No. 550,369

17 Claims.

My invention relates to methods of and apparatus for applying adhesive to desired areas of wrappers, labels, paper or cardboard sheets, or to blanks forboxes, cartons, containers, or the like, generically termed blanks.

In accordance with my invention, adhesive is applied to the continuous or unbroken surface of a member, specifically and preferably a roller, which applies adhesive to the wrapper blank, box blank, or the like, and to obtain a desired pattern of adhesive on the blank, the adhesive is removed from the roller except from certain areas.

Further in accordance with my invention, and more specifically, one or more scraper members operating in timed relation to the feeding of the blanks, remove adhesive from the areas of the roller surface which subsequently engage the areas of the wrapper which is desired should not go receive adhesive. J

More particularly, while one portion of the roller is in engagement with a blank, another portion of the roller is being prepared by the scraper structure for engagement with a subsequent portion of the same blank, or for engagement with a succeeding blank.

My invention further resides in methods and apparatus having the'features hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for illustration of a preferred form of apparatus, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1, in side elevation, illustrates an adhesive applying mechanism for feeding blanks to a box machine.

Fig. 2 on enlarged scale, and in section. is a,

detailed view of mechanism for accomplishing the objects of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of parts shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail view in plan, of parts shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view in side elevation of parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view with parts omitted of apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail view in front elevation, of the adhesive transfer roll and scraper structure shown in Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views taken respectively on lines 8-8 and 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a detail view in perspective of the roller and scraper structure shown in Fig. 7.

Blanks, specifically, wrappers, intermittently fed by a suction device 1, are coated with adhesive by mechanism hereinafter specifically described, and transferred to a conveyor 0 which may be generally similar to that disclosed in Stokes Pat ent No. 1,701,317, which transports the coated blanks away from the gluer, for example, to a box machine M, which may be generally of the character disclosed in Federwitz et 81. Patent No. 1,541,255.

In accordance with the present invention, with specific reference to wrappers, the adhesive is not applied to the entire box engaging surface of the wrappers but only to certain desired areas, and the mechanism A, in the nature of an attachment to the adhesive applying unit G, is for the purpose of modifying the action of the adhesive applying unit to attain that end.

Referring to Fig. 2, the suction device 1, or equivalent, lifts the top wrapper W of the stack S and feeds it between the rolls 2, 3, between the feeding rolls 4 and 5, one of which is driven through the train of gears 6, 7 and 8.

The pump 9, transports adhesive from the tray 10, discharging it in the pocket formed between the transfer, or blank engaging roller 10, and a I second roll 11,. The roller 10 is driven in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 10, the gear 12 on the shaft of the roller meshing with gear 6.

The roller 11 is adjusted, as by the member H, to a suitably small distance from the periphery of roll 10 to leave thereon a thin coating of adhesive, which by continued rotation of roller 10 is transferred to the box engaging face of wrappers fed into engagement with the roll, the strippers 13 peeling the coated wrapper from the roll and causing it to fall on the receiving end of the conveyor belt 14. To remove the accumulations of foreign matter which would result in sticking of the glue on the roller 10, the roller 11 is preferably intermittently rotated. As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, a'gear 15 on the shaft 16 of roller 11 meshes with a gear 17 on a shaft 18 to which is pinned .a ratchet 19. The pawl 20 which engages the ratchet is mounted on one end of an arm 21, whose other end is connected to an arm 22, ex-

tending from the eccentric strap 23 which embraces the eccentric 24 preferably integral with the hub of a gear 25 which is driven from gear 7 by the train of gears 26, 27, and 28.

With the apparatus thus far described adhesive is applied to the entire box engaging surface of the wrapper. For adapting the mechanism for use also in applying adhesive locally to certain desired areas of a wrapper, the additional elements described are incorporated in the machine.

Upon the shaft or bar 29, Fig. 6, whose opposite ends are journalled in the side frames 30, 31 of the unit G, is rotatably mounted a scraper supporting frame 32, which is generally U'-shaped.

As indicated in Figs. 2, 3, and 6, the ends of the member 32 form the upper half of bearings for the member, the other half of the bearings being formed by the caps 33 and 34 suitably clamped, as by bolts 35 to the member 32. The member 32 is provided with an extension 36, which preferably corresponds in length to the blank engaging roll 10. The extension as shown most clearly in Figs. 8 and 9, forms a shoulder against which is clamped, as by bolts 37, a scraper assembly consisting of one or more scraper elements 38 and clamping bars 39 and 40, the scraper element being held freely between the bars 39 and 40, as by the bolts 41 which pass through the upper clamping bar 39 and the scraper element 38 threadably to engage the lower clamping bar 40. The scraper element-or elements 38, as more specifically described hereinafter, are adapted for movement away from and into engagement with the periphery of the roller 10 at a point beyond that at which it receives adhesive from the pocket between the rollers 10 and 11 and before the roller comes into engagement with the wrappers or blanks.

A second scraper supporting member 42 is suitably secured to shaft 29 and is similarly provided with an extension 43 for receiving the scraper assembly, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. The scraper member 44 of the assembly engages the periphery of roller 10 at apoint beyond that at which the scraper 38 engages the periphery of the roll. a

An arm 45 pinned, or otherwise secured to shaft 29, is normally biased by a spring 46 to maintain the scraper 44 in engagement thesurface of roller 10. Similarly an aim 47 which is secured to or integral with the upper scraper supporting member 32 is biased by spring 48 normally to maintain engagement between upper scraper member 38 and the periphery of roller 10.

The upper end of spring 48 is secured to a pin extending from the arm 49, which is keyed to a shaft 50 which extends through a housing 51, the walls of the housing providing bearings for the opposite ends of the shaft. Within the housing there is pinned to shaft 50, an arm 52 which carries a cam follower or roller 53 (Fig. 3), which engages the periphery of a cam member 54 held in position by the clamping members 55 carried by a disk 56 which is keyed to a cylinder or hollow shaft 57 forming an extension of the hub of gear with, the mechanism thus far described, the

' arm 53 is rocked, in timed relation to delivery of to the transfer roll 10, to effect engagement between the adjustable member 58, carried by arm 49, and the end of the arm 47, to effect movement of the scrapermember 38 away from the periphery of roll 10, leaving adhesive thereon in an area whose location and extentis determined by the position and shape of the a wrapper 44. Specifically, the upper end of spring 46 is scraper member 38 and the timing effected by the cam 54.

A generally similar arrangement is utilized for effecting movement of the lower scraper member 80 secured to an arm 59 which is pinned to a sleeve 60 freely rotatable upon shaft 50, to which is secured, within casing 51, an arm 61 carrying the cam followers or rollers, 62 and 63 (Fig. 3), which are adapted to engage respectively the cam members 64 and 65 pivotally mounted respectively to the disks 66 and 67 which areangularly adjustable on member 68, the clamping lugs 69 and '70 being provided to clamp the disks in their adjusted position. The member 68 is keyed, or otherwise suitably aflixed to and rotates with the hollow shaft 57.

The period of engagement between roller 62 and its actuating cam 64 may be varied by angular adjustment of member 71 to the axis of shaft 57. The lower surface of cam 64 is adapted to ride upon the adjustable stop 72 secured to the inner face of the adjusting member 71, which is provided with a handle 73 extending exteriorly of casing 51 for manual adjustment. As indicated, the handle 73 may be clamped in its ad-' justed position as by bolt 74 which passes through a plate 75, preferably provided with a scale.

Similarly, the period of engagement between roller 63 and its actuating cam 65 may be varied 105 by adjustment of member 76 about the axis of shaft 57. The lower surface of cam 65 rides upon the adjustable stop 77 suitably secured to the inner face of the adjustable member 76 which is preferably alsoprovided with a handle '78 extending exteriorly of casing 51 and adjustably clamped to a plate 79, preferably provided with a scale.

Under certain conditions, it is desirable that only one of the scrapers 38 or 44 be actuated and accordingly means are provided for preventing operation of either or both of the scrapers. As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, between the arm 4'7 which is connected to the upper scraper supporting member 32 and the arm 49 there is pivotally mounted a cam 80 which can be rocked by the arm 81 which is movable between the stops 82 and 83. When the arm 81 is in its lower position, as shown in Fig. 5,'the cam 80 lifts arm 49 to move the cam rollers 62 and 63 out of the paths of cams 64 and 65, and also depresses the arm 47 to move the upper scraper 38 away from or out of engagement with the roller 10. The arm 84 by a similar arrangement may be manually moved to effect disengagement between the lower scraper member 44 and the roller 10, and to move the cam follower 53 out of the path of cam 54.

By suitably adjusting'the handles 73 and 78, and changing the scraper elements, utilizing cams 54, etc., the machine may be 'set for blanks which differ in size and shape and for different location, size and shape of the areas of the blanks which it is desired should receive adhesive.

The shape of cam 54 will vary as the machine is used with different wrappers, as will hereinafter appear. To permit substitution or replacement of the cams, they are made, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, in two or more parts. By openinserted through the door 51a, placed in position and clamped there by members 55.

For example, referring to Fig. 13,'it may be desired to apply a strip of adhesive to the edges and turn-in panels F of a corner-cut wrapper W. A lower scraper 44 is selected whose length corresponds to the dimension (1, that is, the width of the wrapper between the adhesive strips to be applied to the corner flaps. The upper scraper elements 38 extend beyond the scraper 44 so that the distance between their outer ends is substantially equal to the distance I) between the adhesive strips applied to the end panels E. The cams 64' and 65 are adjusted so that the lower scraper 44 is in engagement with the periphery of the roller 10 for an extent of movement of the roller corresponding to the distance 0 between the adhesive coating or strips on the side panels S of the wrapper. shape that the scrapers 38 are in engagement with the periphery of the roller for an extent corresponding substantially to the distance d. The proper timing of the cams with respect to feeding of the blank and to each other is effected by adjusting them angularly of shaft 57, as above described.

In the foregoing, it is assumed that the wrapper is fed in the direction of the arrow. If the wrapper is fed lengthwise, the same areas may be coated by changing the timing of the scrapers, their size and location; for example, the length of the lower scraper would correspond to the dimension d and would be in engagement with the roller for a distance corresponding to the dimension 1), and the distance between the outer edges of scraper 38 would correspond to dimension 0 and they would be in engagement with the roller 10 for a distance corresponding to the dimension a.

While the wrapper W1, Fig. 14, is not cornernotched, the areas to be covered, however, correspond generally to Fig. 13 and the same arrangement of scrapers can be used. Similar reference letters have been applied to Fig. 14, in order that the description of Fig. 13 may be read directly thereon.

For the wrapper shown in Fig. 15, the desired areas for application of adhesive are the three strips e, ,f, and g extending entirely across the wrapper, and the strips h and 2 extending across the width of the end panels E. In this case, only one of the scraper bars, for example 38, is used and this remains continuously in engagement with the roll. It is provided with notches hl, e1, f1, g1, and 21, the portions of the scraper between the notches removing adhesive from the roll, leaving narrow ribbons of adhesive on the roller which subsequently engage the desired areas e, f, g, h, and i, of the wrapper W2, indicated by the shading.

The same result may be obtained by using a single scraper bar 38a for movement of the wrapper as indicated by the dotted arrow. In this instance, the scraper 38a having a straight or continuous edge isintermittently operated by its cam 54, so that it is in engagement with roller 10 for distances corresponding to the dimensions ;i, k, Z, and m, and out of engagement with the roll for distances corresponding to the widths of the strips 2', g, f, e, and h.

It has been found in'practice that the surface of the roller 10 from which adhesive has been substantially removed by either or both of the scrapers 38 and 44, nevertheless affords sufficient traction to effect feeding of the sheets, during en? The cam 54 selected or used is of such gagement with portions of the blank" to 'whi'cn' no adhesive is to be transferred, for example, the

areas having the dimensions k, l, m, of Fig. 15 when scraper 38a is used.

As shown in Fig. 16, in some cases it is desirable desired when cellophane, or the like, is to be attached to the'blank, as a continuous strip causes excessive wrinkling.

Fig. 17 may represent one panel of a. wrapper W4, it being desired to apply adhesive, leaving only a central portion uncoated. The mechanism is adjusted, as previously described, so that assuming the blank is fed in the direction of the arrow, that scraper structure whose effective length corresponds to the dimension n is in engagement with the roller for a distance corresponding to the dimension 0.

The mechanism described may also be utilized for applying adhesive to desired areas of box blanks, or unstayed boxes. Referring toFig. 18, the turn-in flaps T of the box blank B may be coated with adhesive by utilizing a lower scraper bar. 44 having notches t whose width corresponds substantially to the width of the flaps T, and with the distance between the notches corresponding to the distance between the flaps T. The bar 44 remains continuously in engagement with roller 10, the upper scraper elements 38, however, remain in engagement only to an extent corresponding to the distance 12.

The blank of Fig. 18 may be transported as by the conveyor C to the box machine, where, by

the usual operation of the machine, the end walls E of the box are folded into engagement with thepreviously turned-in flaps T to form a box.

In the box blank B1 of Fig. 19 there are provided openings or windows K in the side panels S. The lower scraper 44, having a central notch K suitably greater in length than the openings K, removes all the adhesive from the roller except from the central portion. The upper scraper element 38 by engagement with the'roll 10 removes the coating therefrom for an extent cor- ,responding to the dimension q. Strips of cellophane, or the like, applied to the box panels are held in position over the openings by the adhesive surrounding them.

It will be understood that the above illustrations are merely for purposes of explanation and that by suitable setting the machine is capable of practically universal use as regards the location and size of the areas of the roller which are left coated with adhesive for transfer to the desired areas of blanks of paper, cardboard, or the like.

What I claim is:

1. The method of applying adhesive to desired areas of individual blanks, which comprises applying a coating of adhesive to a substantially continuous surface, removing the adhesive coating from said surface except for certain areas, differing for different blanks, and effecting engagement between blanks and the surface, the desired areas of said blanks receiving adhesive from said certain areas of said surface.

areas of individual blanks, which comprises applying a coating of adhesive to a substantially cam to accommodate different blanks or different continuous surface during motion thereof, durgdesired areas.

ing motion of said surface removing the adhesive coating therefrom except for certain areas, differing for different blanks, feeding the blanks into engagement with said surface, the desired areas of said blanks receiving adhesive from saidareas, differing for different blanks, and feeding the blanks in succession into engagement with said surface, the desired areas of said blanks re-' ceiving adhesive from said certain areas of said surface.

4. Mechanism for applying adhesive to desired areas of individual blanks comprising a transfer member, means for applying adhesive to said member, means for feeding blanks into engagement with said member, scraper structure operating in timed relation to said blank-feeding means for removing adhesive from said member except from areas which subsequently engage said desired areas of the blanks, and means for varying the timing of said scraper structure to obtain different adhesive patterns on said member.

5. Mechanism for applying adhesive to desired areas of blanks comprising a transfer member,

means for applying adhesive to said member,

means for feeding blanks into engagement with said member, scraper structure operating in timed relation to said blank-feeding means for removing adhesive from said member except from areas which subsequently engage said desired areas of the blanks, and means for varying the duration of engagement between said scraper structure and said member and the timing of the scraper structure with respect to said blank-feeding means.

6. Mechanism for applying adhesive to desired areas of blanks comprising a transfer .member, means for applying adhesive to said member, means for feeding blanks into engagement with said member, a plurality of scraper elements for removing adhesive from said member except from areas whichsubsequently engage said desired areas of the blanks, and means for varying the timing between said scraper elements.

'7. Mechanism for applying adhesive to desired areas of blanks comprising a transfer member, means for applying adhesive to said member, means for feeding blanks into engagement with said member, a plurality of scraper elements for removing adhesive from said member except from areas which subsequently engage said desired areas of the blanks, and means for effecting selective operation of said scraper elements.

8. Mechanism for applying adhesive to desired areas of blanks comprising a roller, means for supplying adhesive to the surface of said roller, means for feeding the blanks into engagement with said roller, scraper structure biased into engagement with said roller, means, including adjustable cam structure operating in timed relation to said blank feeding means for intermittently effecting movement of said scraper structure from said roller to leave adhesive thereon in areas which subsequently engage said desired areas of the blanks, and means for adjusting said 9. Mechanisnr for applying adhesive ,to desired areas of blanks comprising a roller, means for.

supplying adhesive to said roller, means for feeding the blanks into engagement with said roller,

a plurality of scraper elements biased into engagement with saidroller, means, including adiustable cams, operating in timed relation to said blank feedingmeans for effecting independent and intermittent movement of said scraper elements from said roller to leave adhesive thereon in areas which subsequently engage said desired areas of the blanks, and means for individually adjusting said cams.

10. The method ofapplying adhesive toindividual blanks which comprises applying a coating of adhesive to a substantially continuous surface,

moving scraping structure into engagement with said surface to remove adhesive therefrom, varying the duration of and location of engagement of said structure with said surface to produce difierent adhesive patterns thereon;-and ef- ..fecting engagement between individual blanks moving a scraping tool into engagement with said surface to remove adhesive therefrom, varying the duration and location of engagement of said tool with said surface to effect different adhesive patterns thereon, and feeding blanks in succes sion in engagement with said surface for move ment therewith to effect transfer of the desired adhesive pattern.

12. The method of applying adhesive to individual blanks which comprises applying a coating of adhesive to a revolving cylindrical surface, moving scraping tools independently of each other into engagement with said surface to remove adhesive therefrom, varying the location of said tools with respect to each other and to said surface, and of their duration of contact with said surface to effect different adhesive patterns thereon, and feeding the blanks into engagement with said surface for transfer of the desired adhesive pattern.

13. The method of applying adhesive to individual blanks which comprises continuously applying a coating of adhesive to a revolving cylindrical surface, intermittently moving scraping tools independently of each other into engagement with said surface to remove adhesive therefrom, varying the duration of engagement of each of said tools, the time relation between their engagement, and of their location to effect different adhesive patterns on said surface, and feeding the blanks into engagement with said surface to receive the desired adhesive pattern.

14. Mechanism for applying adhesive to desired areas of blanks comprising a transfer member, means for applying a coating of adhesive to said member, a plurality of scraper elements, and mechanism for independently moving said elements toward and away from engagement with said member to remove the adhesive therefrom except from areas subsequently engaging said desired areas of the blanks.

15. Mechanism for applying adhesive to blanks comprising a transfer roll, means for applying adhesive thereto, mechanism for feeding blanks into engagement with said roll, a plurality of scraper elements, means for effecting independent ,7 said structures and intermittently tensioned to move said scraper structure into engagement with said roll.

17. Mechanism for applying adhesive to desired areas of individual wrappers comprising ,a transfer member, means for supplying adhesive to said member, means for feeding wrappers successively into engagement with said member, scraper structure for removing adhesive from said member, means for varying the timing of said scraper structure to obtain different adhesive patterns on said member, and mechanism for conveying the treated wrappers away from said transfer member.

ERNEST G. RIDER. 

